2024 1st XV Schools Cup Last16 : Royal Belfast Academical Inst v Campbell College Belfast : 27Jan 24

FINAL SCORE : RBAI 16-6 CAMPBELL COLLEGE (HALF-TIME RBAI 10-6 CCB) Extended Highlights Of Full Game NEWSLETTER GAME REPORT (Credit : Newsletter) RBAI started the defence of the Schools’ Cup with a 16-6 victory over Belfast rivals Campbell College at Osborne Park. The repeat of last year’s final was built up as the tie of the round but failed to ignite and Inst coach Jamie Kirk was relieved to reach the quarter-finals, when his side will travel to Banbridge Academy. “People were building it up before the game and choosing a favourite quite early, but everybody knows that when it's a rivalry, and it's a Schools' Cup game, they're going to be nervous,” stated Kirk. "After we weathered those first 15 minutes, we grew into it and had a lot of dominance in the phase play. “They really have a lot of trust in our defence, it's something that we talk a lot about and there's a lot of belief there too. “We knew Campbell would come and try and break that down with their kicking game and we've done a lot of work on that over the last four weeks,” added Kirk. “I thought Josh Gibson in the backfield was outstanding, Charlie Gray as well, and our wingers, that was pleasing. “For us, it was important that we had Campbell in the back of our mind, but we really didn't turn the page to it until we had finished our game with Presentation Brothers on January 2nd.” “I think that brought us into a nice cup window where we had a narrower focus in terms of the timeframe and it wasn't building and building for six weeks.” Kirk was happy to be in the hat for the quarter-final draw after a nervy opening period for his side. “Speaking to Fraser (Campbell), our captain who has that experience at national level and in the final last year, he was very honest in terms of how nervous the boys really were,” he said. “We discussed that before the game and told them that they're nervous because it's something that they care so much about. “We would rather be a little nervous rather than go in over-confident and get caught cold. It was about reassuring them that pressure is a good thing. “If you ask different people there's a different favourite each week in this competition. “The pressure is external, but we put ourselves under pressure internally,” Kirk added. “That's why we want to be here, that's what rugby is about. “Getting that opportunity to play at the next stage is pressure but it's what we want, it's what we're going after; you've got to be prepared to step into those moments. First half tries from Freddie Clarke and Blake McClean gave Inst a 10-6 interval lead. Winger Alex Place slotted over two penalties after the break. Banbridge Academy beat Portadown College 40-0 to set up a quarter-final clash with the holders. Sullivan will travel to Methody in the last eight, the Holywood school enjoyed a 41-3 home win over Larne Grammar while the Belfast side won 22-9 at Rainey. Wallace’s reward for a 31-7 win over Royal School Armagh is a trip to Enniskillen, who beat Friends 13-5. The remaining quarter-final sees Regent House – 34-21 winners over Dromore High – host Ballymena Academy after they edged BRA 17-15. Quarter-final 2024 Schools Cup Played at Banbridge Academy (CREDIT) BANBRIDGE ACADEMY'S GAME REPORT Schools’ Cup ¼ final v RBAI Banbridge Academy 1st XV bowed out of the Schools’ Cup in an exciting match against the holders, and eventual repeat winners, Royal Belfast Academical Institution. A huge crowd gathered for the important game and it was a wonderful occasion and event for the whole school community. The Academy started the game very strongly and an early penalty attempt went wide, but on 5 minutes another RBAI infraction lead to Andrew Jackson kicking a penalty to take a 3-0 lead. RBAI however came back strongly and scored tries on ten, fifteen and twenty-two minutes but Banbridge rallied at the end of the half however, despite significant pressure, they were unable to score. The 2nd half started as the first ended with Banbridge throwing their all at RBAI, but again there was no reward and RBAI took advantage of some uncharacteristic mistakes to score three more tries to take the game away from the Academy. Banbridge never stopped fighting though and after another period of pressure, Hooker Connor Magee scored off the back of an impressive maul from the superb Banbridge forwards. Andrew Jackson slotted the conversion. The game finished however with another RBAI score, to leave the final score 10-43 to the Belfast school. While it was a disappointing end to the season for the Academy, they can be very proud of their efforts on the day. Unfortunately, the intensity of the game led to too many errors and RBAI are too good of a team to be given such opportunities. Video + Editing Credit : Brian Keys